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What is the best way to transfer 800,000 baht from the UK for a Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?
Money TransferUK to ThailandNon-O Retirement VisaInternational BankingSWIFT TransferWiseXE ExchangeRemitly
Aug 3, 2025
9 months ago
Mahmood ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi everyone, what is the best way of transferring the equivalent of 800,000 bahts from my uk bank account for the none O retirement visa.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses various methods to transfer 800,000 baht from the UK to Thailand for a Non-O retirement visa. Key recommendations include using transfer services like Wise for lower fees and good exchange rates. Participants note that it's unnecessary to hold the funds in a Thai bank beforehand and that certifying UK bank statements might suffice for visa requirements. Others mention using traditional bank wire transfers via SWIFT, though these can incur higher costs.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Dwain *******
I did wire transfer using swift code and cost was $25. usd
Keith *******
The problem with SWIFT is they charge a percentage. The more you transfer the higher the cost.
Terry **********
Use WISE, but there are limits depending upon the receiving bank.
Kevin *******
Mahmood. if you have an HSBC acct extens the acct ans
Get a HSBC Global acct Its the easiest way
Get a HSBC Global acct Its the easiest way
Max *************
For the first 800k transfer to a Thai bank and you want it to show up as international/foreign without a doubt, go for a swift bank to bank transfer. After that, you can use for example Wise for future transfers.
Mark ********
When I visited immigration to extend my Non-O visa, they required an official account balance statement printed by my Thai bank and it had to be dated the exact same day as the visit to immigration. I couldn't do that if my money was not in a Thai bank
Bili *******
"Wise" keep it in your Wise account in Baht...easy to convert and you have control over it
Michael ********
Swift transfer...cost me £15 with Nationwide
Ian ********
@Michael *******
and you would have lost about 1 baht per pound on the rubbish exchange rate they gave you.Michael ********
@Ian *******
I let Bangkok Bank convert it, you get a better rate than the UK bank converting it first.Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Gerg **********
For small amounts I use the Wise or Remitly app. For amounts like 800,000 baht, I do a wire transfer from my home bank to my Thai bank using my Thai bank’s SWIFT code.
Kim **********
@Gerg *********
my bank gave a horrifically low exchange rate and I suffered through a 30 min phone call being asked the same questions over and over about whether I was sure it wasn’t a scamGerg **********
@Kim *********
Some banks are very wary of international transfers. I have Navy Federal Credit Union and had no problem doing a wire transfer. I guess individual experiences will differ.Kim **********
@Gerg *********
yeah this was chase.Reply to
Kim **********
Reply
Anna *********
Swift is easy and safe
Todd *********
@Anna ********
and much, much more expensive. Only use Swift if you hate your own moneyAnna *********
@Todd ********
not always Obviously in your experience but that’s not every one’sIan ********
@Anna ********
yes always much more expensive the transfer fee maybe small but the exchange rate will be rubbishTodd *********
@Anna ********
only the people who bother to verify would share my experience. It’s your money. Lose it as you wish
Reply to
Todd *********
Reply
Alexander *******
Xe exchange no question
Todd *********
@Alexander ******
always more expensive than wise, but efficientSimon *******
@Alexander ******
watch their exchange rate ,6 months ago I transferred 20,000bht using Xe it would have cost me £70 more than wise because of the exchange rate Xe was givingReply to
Simon *******
Reply
Luc ************
Wise
Greg ***********
Mahmood Fatemi . . use WISE for the transfer, they will get you a very good exchange rate. ATTENTION: chose as reason for the transfer "funds for longstay in Thailand", then it will be coded as having come from abroad
Mahmood ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg **********
thank you 🙏Reply to
Mahmood ********
Reply
Bjørn *********
In a suitcase.. Remember the Ronald Reagan mask..
Doug ********
@Anthony *******
yeah I think wise better than my hsbc global account .Haven't calculated it out tbh but wise rate is better but has 0 0.69percent fee I think wheras global has no fee.. overall wise just a bit better I guess
Greg ***********
@Bjørn ********
not really helpful. Scroll on or better, leave this groupBjørn *********
If you ask on the net how to transfer money you need to be reminded that your bank is where u get real answers.. Asking stupid questions on groups like this often gets stupid answers…
Anthony ********
@Bjørn ********
I totally agree… cash is king …. Bring as much cash as you can… then no exchange rates , no fees … and change your money when the exchange rates are up ….Doug ********
@Anthony *******
no exchange rates...then you say change when exchange rates are up.......what if you arrive and the exchange date is bad...you still need money lolAnthony ********
@Doug *******
I took the plunge on my last visit …. 44.5b to £1….. so I changed £1000 . So when I come back ( October) I’ll have money on me and just hope the exchange rates are lower than 44.5…. If they are happy days …. If not than dam it …Doug ********
@Anthony *******
your winning big time atm mate only just over 42....only got close too 44 once since I got back here in march. I'm here a lot..if it gets to 44 again I would change as much as possible lolAnthony ********
@Doug *******
just over 42…. ? … I’m sending money to my bank account via wise and getting just over 43…. In May and June I was getting 44.5 with wiseReply to
Anthony ********
Reply
Todd *********
Wise is the easy, low cost answer
Todd *********
@Alex ******
I usually (not always) check with WU and they have done a LOT recently to improve their rates. If they are beating Wise now, great. I have yet to see it though for CAD, MXN or PHP transfersAlex *******
@To**
but it doesn't give the best rates when it comes to large transfers. Western Union gives the most when transferring anything over about 120,000 baht. But Wise is always better on smaller amountsReply to
Alex *******
Reply
Andrew ********
Keep it in your UK bank you can do that. For DTV and retirement visa you dont have to have it in a thai bank. Just have to get your state office / embassy to certify it with statements.
Also for retirement visa you can also just verify monthly income of
If you wish it in a thai bank and you have one in your name you can wire transfer it from bank to bank will be fees.
Money being in a thai bank just means less steps
I would also look into the tax law with thailand and make sure the money you move over into savings also doesnt trigger tax payment at the end of year
Also for retirement visa you can also just verify monthly income of
*****
baht or a combination of the two If you wish it in a thai bank and you have one in your name you can wire transfer it from bank to bank will be fees.
Money being in a thai bank just means less steps
I would also look into the tax law with thailand and make sure the money you move over into savings also doesnt trigger tax payment at the end of year
Terry **********
@Andrew *******
the monthly income method is 65'000Baht and to be shown as a monthly internal transfer. The combination method doesn't necessarily work at all Immigration Offices (IO). It cannot be used at my local IO.Pete *******
@Andrew *******
just about everything you stated is false. Uk does not issue income affidavits. The monthly requirement is 65k not 75k. He will require 800k in a Thai bank account for his 1st yearly extension of stay and lastly moving savings are not taxed.Anna *********
@Andrew *******
how wrong can you be. No wonder people get confused For extension based on retirement you need funds in a Thai bank. Certification letters are only still available from very few places.
And monthly transfers of
*****
thb can only be used after the first full year of 800k thb being in a Thai bank The Op didn’t ask about DTV or tax so why even mention them
Wannikea *********
@Andrew *******
UK doesn't do income verification letters. The money will need to be transferred for an extension. The OP said a Non Imm O, nothing to do with DTV.Kieran *******
@Andrew *******
eh?Will ************
@Andrew *******
Uk Enbassy does not certify incomeTim **********
Andrew ********
@Will ***********
yes that is the down side some dont that is why the retirement visa says "and or"Greg ***********
@Andrew *******
and that's why a Brits needs to transfer a minimum of 800,000 THB onto his Thai bank account, in order to be able to apply for the first "1-year Extension of the Stay Permit". He doesn't have the option to the "or"Andrew ********
@Greg **********
so I have a question on things like a DTV and there is a savings requirement there and a UK citizen has never been to thailand how then does one supply proof of savings account with no thai bank account if UK government doesnt verify savings / incomeGreg ***********
@Andrew *******
if he enters on a Non-Imm-O Visa, he has enough time to get the 800,000 THB transferred and get it "seasoned" for 2 months, so he can apply for the "1-year Extension". Opening a Thai bank account and transferring the money sets him back about one week, or two at the maxGreg ***********
@Andrew *******
for the application to the 90-days Non-Imm-O Retirement visa, the equivalent of 800,000 Thai Baht can be on a home country bank account (you need to prove it with bank statements over three months). Only for the application to the 1-year Extension of the Stay Permit, the money must be in a Thai bank account (seasoned for two months on the day of the application)Greg ***********
@Andrew *******
the threadstarter asks how to transfer 800,000 THB to his Thai bank account. So I suppose he entered Thailand on a Non-Imm-O Retirement visa and got a Thai bank account opened on this visa, which is definitely possible even after the many changes since February 2025. . . . NOTE: You cannot get a bank account opened on a DTV, because it is a "tourist" visa - this is a whole different storyAndrew ********
@Greg **********
my comment was aimed to save money do you have any idea how much fees would be associated with moving that kind of money ? And exchange fees ?Thomas *******
@Andrew *******
815,000 baht costs $176 USD in fees if you use Wise to transfer the money.Greg ***********
@Thomas ******
*** if you send 26,000 U.S.Dollar with WISE, the recipient gets 839,490 THB*** if you exchange cash 26,000 U.S. Dollar at Superrich, the todays rate for 50-100 Dollar notes is 32.48 : 1 Baht.
You will receive 844,480 THB
The difference between a cash exchange and WISE is 4,989.23 Thai Baht, which is 153,609 U.S. Dollar
Greg ***********
@Andrew *******
there is only a small difference in bringing in 26,000 USD in cash, which you have to declare to Thai Customs at the airport, and exchange it at a SuperRich or SiamExchange exchange office, compared to transferring it using WISE. We are talking about a difference of 2500 to 3500 BahtReply to
Greg ***********
Reply
Wayne ********
@Andrew *******
is this same as getting married and having *****
0 baht in bank or does it need to be in thai bankAndrew ********
@Wayne *******
home country bank or thai bank doesnt matter, a thai bank is just less stepsJan ******************
@Andrew *******
not correct ☑️Wayne ********
@Andrew *******
thanksAndrew ********
@Wayne *******
thailand is also making changes to income being moved into thailand i would also consult with a tax lawyer in thailand to make sure the money moved into savings isnt taxable either 🤔Jan ******************
@Andrew *******
Money transferred to Thailand for the extension is already taxed and not a subject to tax in Thailand.Andrew ********
@Jan *****************
again tax laws have changed if its not covered under DTA with thailand it is taxable. Some countries DTA are limited im just saying to look that up with your home country. For example US to Thailand DTA only covered benifits from the federal government. Private sector retirements are not protected fully, and remote working income is taxed at certain brackets or earnings per year.
Simply saying to confirm this with your countries embassy every country is different
Jan ******************
@Andrew *******
Yes, you are subjekt to tax after 180 days in Thailand, but funds you’ve already earned, taxed and saved in a bank at home is not subjekt to tax because they are transferred to Thailand for extension as income for the first year would be.Andrew ********
@Jan *****************
ok, as for me im not taxed ever unless I make income in thailand. My full retirement from the US isnt taxed here nor is it taxed in the US everyone's situation is different why I point this out. Then again I dont have an account here and I cant get one so all I have is cash. I have to upgrade visa before I can get one. Im too young for retirement visa so every month i pull cash or use moreta pay for bills
Jan ******************
@Andrew *******
Ok, I understand each country has their own individual tax agreement with Thailand and the most common with Europe is that you’re considered as a tax resident if you stay for more than 180 days each year in Thailand. Then your tax will be shared between your homecountry and Thailand.Jan ******************
@Andrew *******
Unless your embassy offers to provide you a affidavit letter to confirm your income, there’s no legal way around banking 800K in a Thai bank account for your first one year stay in Thailand. For the initial 90 days Non O visa you can use your bank account at home.
Anthony ********
@Jan *****************
totally agree … get you non o ( retirement visa ) in your home country.., makes everything so much easierReply to
Anthony ********
Reply
Michael *******
@Wayne *******
ive just got married to thai. In thai bank! 👍Reply to
Michael *******
Reply
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